This past week has been a rainy one.
I've found myself going through stretches of days, having hardly left my studio space for anything beyond meals or the eventual, undeniable need for a break—which I take as a good thing.
Why, I'm sure you're asking, would working until I have to force myself to hide my painting be a sign of a good thing?
To me, it means I've found my next match.
Something both intriguing and challenging enough to keep me clinging to the palette, searching for that final "Aha" in the brushstrokes. Elusive enough to keep me guessing if what I'm doing will ever lead me to a satisfying conclusion. I lose myself in favor of this glorious process.
It is quite literally a tug-of-war I hardly find myself surrendering in.
This week's tug-of-war is the result of my choice to brave florals.
Delicate, fleeting, and fragrant blooms.
Oh, so terrifying.
But it's true. I have attempted, and subsequently avoided painting florals for months now. I think they are very enjoyable to illustrate, as shown below.
But to paint? I get lost in the scene, and unfortunately, not in the way I hope to.
So I finally decided to sit down and at least try once again. After all, no one has to see if my floral failure is absolutely catastrophic...
But if that were the case, I would not be making the entry I'm making today.
I find this mid-week photo in the brief, literal window of sunshine to be quite poetic. I had just completed my first dahlia work and was moving on to my next, and thought to take pause to document the current progress.
Already, between two works, I can see progress. Even more than that, I have found a budding love for florals.
I may not have chosen the simplest subject—a bouquet of dahlias—but I've thoroughly enjoyed testing my hand and knowledge in values, exploring the color hidden in the white of the petals, and leaning into a new subject I'm eager to become proficient in.
This past week has been a novel one, and I hope you've enjoyed the entry that's come of it.
On to the next tug-of-war—I'll see you next week.
Sincerely,
M.E.